in every universe (one shot-s) | JENLISA

the fortune you seek is in another cookie

Your shoes will make you very happy today.
ugly - Chǒulòu de 丑陋的
Lucky numbers: 32-50-29

The doorbell rings and Jennie practically vaults the couch. Lisa leans to one side, narrowly avoiding a foot as it brushes her shoulder. She doesn't even look up from her book. Jennie would find that impressive if she didn't think what is behind their front door is more impressive.

Paco is smiling when she pulls the door open, holding up a plastic bag with a bright yellow smiley face on it. "Special delivery."

Jennie grins. "Paco, you are the special part of the delivery."

His face flushes, it always does. He's just a kid with a mop of dark hair and cheeks that give away his age, but he's nice and he always smiles and has a joke for her every time he drops off their Chinese food. Sergio from the tapas restaurant never has a joke for her, just a scowl after having to climb the three stories to their apartment.

She prefers Paco much more.

"Jennie," she hears from the couch.

She ignores Lisa's slight chastising tone. Lisa thinks she shouldn't entertain Paco's slight crush on her. Jennie thinks it's harmless - obviously he knows he has no chance with her. But sometimes she does feel a little guilty whenever he lingers at their door, smiling hopefully.

"Hi Lisa," he calls over her shoulder.

Jennie hears Lisa close her book. She imagines a finger holding her page and then dismisses the thought. Not thinking about Lisa's hands is her New Year's resolution. She made it about 10 minutes into the new year - a whole 8 minutes more than the year before.

"Hi, Paco. How's Mr. Liú?"

Paco smiles a little brighter. If he has a small crush on her, he's got to be a little in love with Lisa. She doesn't blame him, it's hard not to be. "My father is good. Recovering well."

"Tell him we said we hope he feels better soon."

"I will," Paco promises. He holds up the takeout bag a little higher. "Your usual."

Jennie takes the bag with greedy hands. It's their traditional Chinese Tuesday - even though last week it was Chinese Thursday, too - and she's been craving orange chicken for what feels like years. She puts it down on the small side table she insisted they purchase, biting back the need to tell Lisa she was right about this, and reaches into Lisa's wallet, pulling out the right amount of money.

"I'll pay you back," she says over her shoulder. She hears Lisa sigh in response.

Jennie pushes the money into Paco's hand and waits expectantly while he slides it into his pocket, not bothering to count it. He trusts them to give him the right amount - plus a pretty decent tip. But she's still waiting for the joke of the night. He tips his head to one side, eyes narrowed as he searches for one.

He holds up his finger excitedly. "How do celebrities stay cool?" He waits but she shakes her head. "They have many fans."

She stares at him critically before a small smile blooms on her face. "That was a good one."

"I'll do better next time," he says solemnly, crossing his finger over his chest.

"Improvement is the mark of a master," Lisa says from the couch.

Paco smiles a little. "Thank you, Lisa."

Jennie looks back over her shoulder to see Lisa smiling back. "Of course."

Paco meets Jennie's eyes again and shrugs his shoulders. His watch beeps and he looks at it, distracted. "I'm sorry. I have to run. More deliveries."

Jennie shoos him away. "Right, right. We'll see on Friday."